Visually impaired veteran Robert Wiley has his model R34 Airship on display at National Museum of Flight.

Mr Wiley was inspired to produce the model of the R34 Airship in recognition of its achievement as the first airship to make a return transatlantic journey from East Fortune Aerodrome to America in 1919.  Mr Wiley was miner before he was in the military, where he served in Germany, Northern Ireland and Hong Kong.

Mr Wiley, aged 64 and from Hawick, is a member of the charity Scottish War Blinded, and has produced the 12-foot model at the charity’s Linburn Centre Art Room over the past 18 months.

The model comprises reinforced cardboard, metal rods, wiring and a 4,000 piece wooden stick frame and is finished with battle grey paint and RAF insignia. Motorised propellers and search lights have also been installed which visitors can activate.

Mr Wiley said:

 “The project has provided me with a great sense of satisfaction and I’ve really enjoyed the process. The project has been a focal point of the Linburn Centre Art Room for some time and fellow Scottish War Blinded members have contributed towards the project, as well as family, and their help has been greatly appreciated. My eyes are getting worse and I am happy to see the final result with what remains of my vision.”

The R34 Airship arrived at East Fortune Aerodrome on 30 May 1919 which was a station for airships carrying out North Sea patrols of shipping lanes during World War One. The airship set off for the United States on 2 July 1919 with a crew of eight officers, 22 men, one stowaway, two carrier pigeons and a kitten.

The R34 returned to the UK landing at Pulham Aerodrome on 13 July 1919 having visited Newfoundland and Long Island on the other side of the Atlantic. The R34 made its final flight from East Fortune in February 1920 and the airship station closed shortly thereafter.

The National Museum of Flight explores the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day. It is open daily 10:00 – 17:00 until 1st November and thereafter on weekends only until March.

Scottish War Blinded provides rehabilitation, activities and social opportunities for visually impaired veterans across Scotland. The Linburn Centre, located in Wilkieston, West Lothian, is a free day centre, for up to 35 members, providing rehabilitation, activities and social opportunities. It is open to anyone who served in the armed forces and suffers sight problems, which doesn't necessarily need to be a service related injury.

Scottish War Blinded celebrates its Centenary in 2015, having been founded in 1915 to provide rehabilitation and training to blinded soldiers returning for World War One – http://royalblind.org/SWBCentenaryProgram